Fishing reel drive means

ABSTRACT

A fishing reel drive means includes a friction coupling having a regulatable slip action in which the drag can be reduced by backward rotation of a drive crank in a direction opposite to that in which the crank is turned to wind a line onto a pickup drum. The drive means includes a crankshaft which is connected behind the inner end of a crankshaft hub formed on the mechanism housing with a driving gearwheel over a known friction clutch, the slipping action or drag force of which can be adjusted by varying the force of a spring which is mounted between the outer ends of the crankshaft and a sleeve surrounding said shaft and which provides for inward movement of the crankshaft and outward movement of the sleeve. The crankshaft supports on its portion projecting beyond the outer end of the sleeve, when viewed outwardly from said sleeve, firstly an axial ball bearing abutting the outer end of the sleeve, secondly a crank hub abutting the outer side of the axial ball bearing and having restricted rotary movement and guided for axial movement on the crankshaft, thirdly axial cam projections disposed on the outer face of the crank hub and arranged in uniform, spaced relationship around the shaft, fourthly a cam plate with axial cam surfaces and mounted on the end of the crankshaft for guided movement longitudinally but locked against rotary movement, said cam surfaces when turning the crank hub in the winding direction relative to the hub shaft and the cam plate cooperating with the cam projections to divorce the cam plate from the crank hub. The spring consists of an axial pressure spring which at its inner end bears against the outside of the cam plate and at its outer end bears against the head of an adjuster screw which is screwed into the outer end of the crankshaft.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Karl Nurmse;

Hugo Ragnvald Svensson, both of Svangsta, Sweden [21 Appl. No. 832,056

June 11, 1969 Sept. 14, 1971 [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee ABUAktiebolag Svangsta, Sweden [32] Priority June 17, 1968 [33] Sweden [54]FISHING REEL DRIVE MEANS Primary Examiner-Stanley N. GilreathAttorney-J. Bradley Cohn ABSTRACT: A fishing reel drive means includes afriction coupling having a regulatable slip action in which the drag canbe reduced by backward rotation of a drive crank in a direction oppositeto that in which the crank is turned to wind a line onto a pickup drum.The drive means includes a crankshaft which is connected behind theinner end of a crankshaft hub formed on the mechanism housing with adriving gearwheel over a known friction clutch, the slipping action ordrag force of which can be adjusted by varying the force of a springwhich is mounted between the outer ends of the crankshaft and a sleevesurrounding said shaft and which provides for inward movement of thecrankshaft and outward movement of the sleeve. The crankshaft supportson its portion projecting beyond the outer end of the sleeve, whenviewed outwardly from said sleeve, firstly an axial ball bearingabutting the outer end of the sleeve, secondly a crank hub abutting theouter side of the axial ball bearing and having restricted rotarymovement and guided for axial movement on the crankshaft, thirdly axialcam projections disposed on the outer face of the crank hub and arrangedin uniform, spaced relationship around the shaft, fourthly a cam platewith axial cam surfaces and mounted on the end of the crankshaft forguided movement longitudinally but locked against rotary movement, saidcam surfaces when turning the crank hub in the winding directionrelative to the hub shaft and the cam plate cooperating with the camprojections to divorce the cam plate from the crank hub. The springconsists of an axial pressure spring which at its inner end bearsagainst the outside of the cam plate and at its outer end bears againstthe head of an adjuster screw which is screwed into the outer end of thecrankshaft.

PATENTEU SEP 1 41971 SHEET 1 OF 2 it r 2.

FISHING REEL DRIVE MEANS The present invention relates to drive meansfor a fishing reel including a friction clutch having a regulatable slipaction in which the drag can be reduced by backward rotation of adriving crank in a direction opposite to that in which the crank isturned to wind a line onto a spool or drum.

Arrangements of this type are known to the art, for instance fromSwedish Pat. Nos. 167 217 and 203 705. In the arrangements described inthe two aforementioned specifications the crankshaft is divided in twoparts of which one supports the crank and the other supports a toothedwheel which drives the winding means by means of a friction clutch, therotary movement of the shaft portions being restricted relative theretoto lengthen and shorten the crankshaft by means of screw surfaces,whereby the pressure on the friction clutch arranged between the gearwheel and the crankshaft is varied in response to the direction in whichthe crank is rotated.

One disadvantage always manifest in longitudinally divided crankshaft isthat at least one of the parts obtains an axially short bearing surface,and that complicated arrangements are required to restrict the relativerotary and longitudinal movement of the shaft parts to retain thecooperating screw surfaces constantly within limit positions correct forthe function of the device.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the aforesaiddisadvantages and to provide a simple and easily assembled device inwhich the crank after rotation in the winding direction and driving withthe heavier slip or drag action automatically returns to a positioncorresponding to a lighter slip or drag action when the crank isreleased.

This object is achieved by the present invention which is mainlycharacterized in that the drive means includes a crankshaft which isconnected behind the inner end of a crankshaft hub formed on themechanism housing with a driving gear wheel over a known frictionclutch, the slipping action or drag force of which can be adjusted byvarying the force of a spring which is mounted between the outer ends ofthe crankshaft and a sleeve surrounding said shaft and which providesfor inward movement of the crankshaft and outward movement of thesleeve, the crankshaft supporting on its portion projecting beyond theouter end of the sleeve when viewed outwardly from said sleeve firstlyan axial ball bearing abutting the outer end of the sleeve, secondly acrank hub abutting the outer side of the axial ball bearing and havingrestricted rotary movement and guided for axial movement on thecrankshaft, thirdly axial cam projections disposed on the outer face ofthe crank hub and arranged in uniform spaced relationship around theshaft, fourthly a cam plate with axial cam surfaces and mounted on theend of the crank shaft for guided movement longitudinally but lockedagainst 1 rotary movement, said cam surfaces, when turning the crank hubin the winding direction relative to the hub shaft and the cam plate,cooperate with the cam projections to divorce the cam plate from thecrank hub and wherein the spring consists of an axial pressure springwhich at its inner end bears against the outside of the cam plate and atits outer end bears against the head of an adjuster screw which isscrewed into the outer end of the crankshaft.

The crankshaft is provided with one or more longitudinally extendingchambers, eg by being worked from square rod material, and the cam platehas a central opening corresponding to the cross section of the innershaft, while the central opening of the crank hub encircles thecrankshaft with a clearance which permits the requisite restrictedrotatability of the crank relative to the crankshaft.

A protection cap which with an essentially cylindrical portion thereofsurrounds the outer end of the hub, the ball bearing, the crank hub andthe cam plate is resiliently clamped at its transversally extending endwall between the cam place and the spring and is provided with anopening exhibiting a shape corresponding to the cross section of thecrankshaft and which presents in its cylindrical casing portion alaterally directed opening for the crank arm.

To enable the cam plate to be assembled in its correct position ofrotation relative to the crank hub, whose position relative to theprotective cap is determined by the laterally directed opening therein,the cam plate is provided with an eccentric stud which is accommodatedin a corresponding hole in the transversely extending end portion of thecap.

An embodiment of the invention is shown diagrammatically on theaccompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is an axial longitudinal sectionthrough the drive means, the actual crankshaft, the crank hub and thecam plate being shown in side view,

FIG. 2 is a section essentially through the line lIlI in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section taken essentially through the line III-III in FIG.1.

As with known fishing reels, the shaft of a rotatable winding means (notshown) is provided with a gear wheel (not shown) meshing with a drivinggear 1 which is mounted for rotation on a crankshaft 2 joumaled in a hub3 of the reel mechanism casing and which outside the outer end of thehub 3 carries a crank 4. The drive gear 1 is friction coupled in a knownmanner via a friction insert member 5 to an end plate 6 fixedly attachedto the shaft 2. A support plate 7, which is nonrotatable but guided forlongitudinal movement on the crankshaft 2, bears against the innersurface of the mechanism casing through intermediate plates 8 and 9 ofwhich one, 8, is suitable designed to form a reverse lock wheelnonrotatably mounted on the shaft 2. A second friction insert member 10is placed between the drive gear 1 and the support plate 7. By pullingthe crankshaft 3 crankshaft 2 more or less hard outwardly in the hub 3,the drive gear 1 is squeezed between the friction insert members to thesame degree and therefore rotates against a greater or smaller slipcomponent relative to the crankshaft. The members 5-10 forming thefriction clutch are previously known per se.

The invention is concerned with means for increasing the slip of thefriction clutch 5-10 when turning the crank 4 in the winding directionin which the front face of the crankshaft 2 and the crank 4 movedownwards in FIG. 1, clockwise in FIG. 2 and counterclockwise in FIG. 3.

The crankshaft 2 protrudes slightly beyond the outer end of the hub 3and has a threaded bore 11 which opens out into said outer end and inwhich is screwed a screw 12 having a bellshaped head 13 which forms asupport for the outer end of a coil pressure spring 14 which bearsagainst the outer end of a sleeve 18 over a cam plate 15, the platelikehub 16 of the crank and an axial ball bearing 17, said sleeve beingmounted for rotation in the hub 3 and abutting with the inner end of theintermediate plate 9 bearing against the inner side of the casing. Thespring 14 thus exerts an outwardly directed tension force (to the leftin FIG. 1) on the crankshaft 2 and inwardly directed pressure (to theright in FIG. 1) on the sleeve 18. The tension of the spring 14 thusdetermines the compression force between the end plate 6 and theintermediate plate 9 and thereby the drag or slip of the friction clutch5-10. This drag can be adjusted by screwing the screw 12, 13 in and out.

To provide for automatic adjustment of the drag when rotating the crankin the winding direction, the crank hub 16 is provided on the sidethereof facing the cam plate- 15 with cam projections 19 which cooperatewith helical cam surfaces 20 on the cam plate 15. The crankshaft isprovided with axial chamfers, in the exemplary embodiment four, suitablyprovided by producing the crankshaft from a bar of square cross section.The members 7, 8 and 15, capable of moving axially along the shaft 2 butincapable or rotating thereon, are provided with holes corresponding inshape to the cross section of the shaft to enable said members to befitted to the shaft. The crank hub 16 is provided with a circular hole21 having a diameter corresponding to the diagonal of the shaft sectionand an inwardly extending projection 22 against which the corners of theshaft section strike to restrict the rotative movement of the crank onthe shaft 2 in either direction.

When the crank 4 is turned clockwise in FIG. 2 from position A toposition B in the direction of arrow C, the crank hub 16 rotates freelyrelative to the crankshaft 2 until projection 22 reaches the positionindicated at 22' from which the shaft 2 is entrained with the rotationof the crank. During the thus restricted free rotation of crank 4relative to the shaft 2, the cam projection 19 on crank hub 16 is movedrelative to the cam plate 15 along the oblique surfaces 20 thereof,whereby the cam plate 15 is moved axially outwards to compress thespring 14, thereby increasing the slip force or drag in the frictionclutch -10. Any run which a fish might make while winding in the linemust be made against the increased drag. The ball bearing 17 ensuresthat the friction between the crank hub 16 and the sleeve 18, betweenwhich the whole of the spring force determining the drag shall betransmitted, does not cause the shaft to be entrained before theprojection 22 bears against the crankshaft 2. The ball bearing 17 alsoreduces the resistance to friction against rotation of the crank hub 16relative to the sleeve to such an extent that the hub 16 under theinfluence of the force spring 14 by the inclined surfaces 20 in coactionwith the cam projections 19 automatically rotates the crank 4 back tothe position FIG. 2) corresponding to the lighter drag force in thefriction clutch 5-10 as soon as the crank is released, which is to greatadvantage when, for instance, a fish makes a sudden run as the handwhich normally operates the crank releases the crank in order to grip alanding net or gaff hook.

FIG. 2 shows the crank 4 and the crank hub 16 as seen from the left inFIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the cam plate seen from the right in FIG. 1. Thecrank hub 16 in the exemplary embodiment is provided with three camprojections in the form of radial ridges l9, and the cam plate withthree inclined, active surface portions which in FIG. 3 occupy sectors20.

FIG. 3 shows the position of the cam projections 19 relative to the camplate 15 with chain lines 19 in the starting position shown in FIG. 2which corresponds to the reduced drag and with the chain lines 19" inthe position taken subsequent to rotating the crank 4 from the positionA to the position B FIG. 2).

By means of the arrangement of the invention it is possible, in additionto normal adjustment of the desired initial drag by screw 12, to more orless completely block the friction clutch 5-10 by screwing in screw 12until its head 13 holds the cam plate 15 tightly pressed against the hub16 while the projection 19 is in the position which corresponds to thelighter drag relative to the cam surfaces 20. The cam plate is then nolonger able to move axially. Such blocking of the friction clutch may besuitable for fish where a tight transmission between crank and windingmeans is desired, for instance when using the reel for cod jigging.

In the exemplary embodiment the cam plate 15, the crank hub 16, the ballbearing 17 and the outer end of the hub 3 are enclosed in a protectivecap 23 which has a transversely extending end wall 24 provided with ahole corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the shaft 2 to enableit to be fitted to the shaft 2 between the cam plate 15 and the spring14. The cap has a laterally directed opening 25 through which the hub 16can be inserted prior to being assembled onto the shaft. Since the crankhub 16 and the cam plate 15 of the exemplary embodiment can be mountedto the shaft in four different positions of rotation and since there areonly three cam projections and cam surfaces 20, the cam plate and thecrank hub must be assembled in a specific position relative to eachother. In order to facilitate assembly of the crank hub and the camplate in the correct position it is expedient to use the cap 23 as aposition reference means for the two former members. The side opening 25of the cap determines the position 16 of the crank 4, while the camplate 15 is provided with a small, axially projecting stud 26 whichpasses into a corresponding hole in the transversely extending end wall24 of the protective cap thus determining when assembling the positionsof the crank hub 16 and the cam plate 15 relative to the protective capand thereby to each other.

The invention is not restricted to the shown embodiments. The divisionof the cam surfaces and cam projections into three is expedient forreasons of manufacture. The number of four bevelled surfaces on theshaft 2 is expedient for the same reason since this permits drawn barmaterial to be used as the shaft 2 and the sleeve 18 only perform smallrelative rotary movements. However, depending upon the dimensions of andrequirements placed on the arrangement it lies within practical limitsto provide the same number of bevelled surfaces and camming means, inwhich case the special means adapted to determine the relative rotativepositions become unnecessary. Additional modifications are also possiblewithin the purview of the invention. The arrangement of the inventioncan be adapted in a simple manner for use in connection with a lefthandwind reel. In this connection it is only necessary to replace the camplate 15 with one whose cam surfaces 20 are inclined in the oppositedirection and to change the direction in which the reverse stop wheel 8acts.

What we claim is:

1. Fishing reel drive means including a friction coupling having aregulatable slip action in which the drag can be reduced by backwardrotation of a drive crank in a direction opposite to that in which thecrank is turned to wind a line onto a pickup drum, characterized in thatsaid means includes a crankshaft which is connected behind the inner endof a crankshaft hub formed on the mechanism housing with a driving gearwheel over a known friction clutch, the slipping action or drag force ofwhich can be adjusted by varying the force of a spring which is mountedbetween the outer ends of the crankshaft and a sleeve surrounding saidshaft and which provides for inward movement of the crankshaft andoutward movement of the sleeve, the crankshaft supporting on its portionprojecting beyond the outer end of the sleeve, when viewed outwardlyfrom said sleeve, firstly an axial ball bearing abutting the outer endof the sleeve, secondly a crank hub abutting the outer side of the axialball bearing and having restricted rotary movement and guided for axialmovement on the crankshaft, thirdly axial cam projections disposed onthe outer face of the crank hub, and arranged in uniform spacedrelationship around the shaft, fourthly a cam plate with axial camsurfaces and mounted on the end of the crankshaft for guided movementlongitudinally but locked against rotary movement, said cam surfaces,when turning the crank hub in the winding direction relative to the hubshaft and the cam plate, cooperate with the cam projections to divorcethe cam plate from the crank hub, and wherein the spring consists of anaxial pressure spring which at its inner end bears against the outsideof the cam plate and at its outer end bears against the head of anadjusting screw which is screwed into the outer end of the crankshaft.

2. The means of claim 1, characterized in that the crankshaft isprovided with at least one longitudinally extending chamfer, and thatthe cam plate presents a central opening corresponding to the crosssection of the crankshaft, while the central opening of the crank hubencircles the crankshaft with a clearance which permits restrictedrotation of the crank relative to the crankshaft.

3. The means of claim 1, characterized in that a protective cap, whichwith a substantially cylindrical portion thereof encloses the outer endof the hub, the axial bearing, the crank hub and the cam plate, isresiliently clamped at a transversely extending wall thereof between thecam plate and the spring and provided with an opening corresponding tothe cross-sectional shape of the crankshaft, and further provided in itscylindrical surface with a laterally directed opening for the crank.

4. The means of claim 3, characterized in that the cam plate is providedwith an axially, outwardly projecting position determining stud whichprojects into a corresponding hole disposed in the transverse end wallof the cap.

5. The means of claim 1 characterized in that the adjusting screw has abell-shaped'headwhich embraces the spring and which in its extremescrewed-in position holds with its free edge the crank hub and the camplate pressed tightly together to tighten hard or block the frictioncoupling.

Patent No. 3, 60 1 558 Dated September 1 4 1971 Invent0r(s) Karl Nurmseand g R gnvald SVGIISSOD It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 21, pluralize "crankshaft" Column 1, line 62, change"chambers" to --chamfers-- Column 2, line 31, strike out "crankshaft 3"Column 2, line 66, change "or" to --of-- Column 3, lines 37 8c 38,correct "FIG.2)" to read --(FIG. 2)

Signed and sealed this lLrth day of March 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHBR,JR. ROBERT GOITSCHALK Attestlng offlcer Commissionerof Patents RM 0- 1 USCOMM-DC suave-ps9 U 5. GOVERNMENY PIHN'UNO OFFICEi965 0*356'334

1. Fishing reel drive means including a friction coupling having aregulatable slip action in which the drag can be reduced by backwardrotation of a drive crank in a direction opposite to that in which thecrank is turned to wind a line onto a pickup drum, characterized in thatsaid means includes a crankshaft which is connected behind the inner endof a crankshaft hub formed on the mechanism housing with a driving gearwheel over a known friction clutch, the slipping action or drag force ofwhich can be adjusted by varying the force of a spring which is mountedbetween the outer ends of the crankshaft and a sleeve surrounding saidshaft and which provides for inward movement of the crankshaft andoutward movement of the sleeve, the crankshaft supporting on its portionprojecting beyond the outer end of the sleeve, when viewed outwardlyfrom said sleeve, firstly an axial ball bearing abutting the outer endof the sleeve, secondly a crank hub abutting the outer side of the axialball bearing and having restricted rotary movement and guided for axialmovement on the crankshaft, thirdly axial cam projections disposed onthe outer face of the crank hub and arranged in uniform spacedrelationship around the shaft, fourthly a cam plate with axial camsurfaces and mounted on the end of the crankshaft for guided movementlongitudinally but locked against rotary movement, said cam surfaces,when turning the crank hub in the winding direction relative to the hubshaft and the cam plate, cooperate with the cam projections to divorcethe cam plate from the crank hub, and wherein the spring consists of anaxial pressure spring which at its inner end bears against the outsideof the cam plate and at its outer end bears against the head of anadjusting screw which is screwed into the outer end of the crankshaft.2. The means of claim 1, characterized in that the crankshaft isprovided with at least one longitudinally extending chamfer, and thatthe cam plate presents a central opening corresponding to the crosssection of the crankshaft, while the central opening of the crank hubencircles the crankshaft with a clearance which permits restrictedrotation of the crank relative to the crankshaft.
 3. The means of claim1, characterized in that a protective cap, which with a substantiallycylindrical portion thereof encloses the outer end of the hub, the axialbearing, the crank hub and the cam plate, is resiliently clamped at atransversely extending wall thereof between the cam plate and the springand provided with an opening corresponding to the cross-sectional shapeof the crankshaft, and further provided in its cylindrical surface witha laterally directed opening for the crank.
 4. The means of claim 3,characterized in that the cam plate is provided with an axially,outwardly projecting position determining stud which projects into acorresponding hole disposed in the transverse end wall of the cap. 5.The means of claim 1 characterized in that the adjusting screw has abell-shaped head which embraces the spring and which in its extremescrewed-in position holds with its free edge the crank hub and the camplate pressed tightly together to tighten hard or block the frictioncoupling.